Magic mushrooms, or Psilocybe Cubensis, are mushrooms we know and love for their psychoactive components psilocybin and psilocin. These psychedelic mushrooms have been used for their magical healing powers since the beginning of humankind—we can even find them displayed throughout art dating all the way back to 5,000 B.C.. Today, psilocybin mushrooms are finally finding their way back into scientific research as a proven ally for people living with depression, anxiety, terminal illnesses and more. They aid individuals in healing, coping, and returning back home to a life filled with gratitude, joy, meaning, and connectedness. Mushrooms open the neural pathways to creative and new ways of thinking. Awakening us to the universal puzzle of beauty that is the natural world, and the place we have as a piece in that puzzle.
Psilocybin itself is not technically psychoactive. Upon entering the body, the psilocybin molecule is quickly metabolized into psilocin, which is responsible for the well-known psychedelic effects.
Psilocin acts on serotonin receptors, increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain, and producing profound changes in perception. It is psilocin’s actions at the 5-HT2A receptor that are thought to be most important for its psychoactive effects.
Once psilocybin enters the body, it is quickly converted into psilocin, and the psychological effects will become apparent after around twenty minutes. The activation of the 5-HT2A receptor is linked with changes in cognition such as visual and auditory hallucinations, tactile perceptions (such as tingling or warmth), and synesthesia (the merging of senses).
Users of psilocybin report entering a profound state of mind where the usual limits of consciousness are expanded. Realizations about the self and the universe may come to the forefront, and people will often describe feelings of unity, interconnectedness, and unconditional love.
During a psilocybin trip, rushes of emotion are particularly common, including euphoria and a sense of total immersion in your surroundings. These are often accompanied by visual changes; the boundaries between shapes may blur, the air may take on a substantial, hazy quality. Surfaces may develop swirling patterns. Your thoughts may surprise you; drawing connections between seemingly disparate ideas, or spinning out into personal epiphanies. Your sense of self may even dissolve altogether as you become one with your surroundings: a process known as ego-dissolution.
The colors you see may be brighter, more intense, or change completely. Characters that are encountered in this altered state of consciousness may morph, take on new significances or identities; objects may feel different to touch. You may be drawn towards exploring the outdoors; the beauty of plants and flowers can become mesmeric.
Studies have shown that psilocybin induces a mystical experience, and that the intensity of this directly correlates with the benefits that users report following the trip. It is this mystical aspect that our ceremonies hope to amplify in order to bring the benefits of psychedelics to our participants.
Additionally, psilocybin has been shown to reduce the control of a brain network known as the DMN (default mode network), and this has been linked to a boost in creative thinking and reductions in negative thought-patterns.
The “resetting” of this DMN by psilocybin has also been suggested to be a factor in the significant antidepressant effects of psilocybin, where a single dose of psilocybin can reduce symptoms of depression for months following the treatment.
Mushrooms have a way of guiding us to them at times when we need them most.
Setting intentions for your mushroom trip can be very powerful. Mushrooms have a way of guiding us to them at times when we need them most. What do you hope to achieve from your trip? Maybe you want to reconnect with joy and playfulness, maybe you want to let go of trauma or stagnancy that’s been putting your life on hold. Maybe you go into a trip with the intention to dance, reconnect with your body, and commune with nature. All wonderful intentions. We view setting intentions as a way to lay out a welcome mat for whatever your mushroom trip may bring you.
By preparing to use mushrooms as a ritual tool, with foresight, intention, and some planning, you are harnessing a tool for life changing spiritual and literal breakthroughs. You don’t need to be a “spiritual” person to profoundly benefit from the experience of psilocybin. Like all psychedelics, intense and sometimes frightening experiences can be part of the journey, but these can be minimized by proper setting and care, and often serve as a necessary part of the transformative experience. Shadow work should be revered, not feared. The following are some ways you can craft your own psychedelic ceremony, hold a container to house your psilocybin mushroom experience, and guide your trip with intention and safety for optimal results, and ultimately to better your life.
We don’t recommend doing psilocybin mushrooms for the first time at a crowded party surrounded by strangers. This can be a recipe for a difficult trip, especially if you’re new to psychedelics. We do recommend experiencing mushshrooms in nature, or even in your home if you feel that would make you more comfortable. The most important thing is that you feel safe and supported by your environment and the people in your environment. Avoid any situation with the possibility of you feeling judged or trapped. You may do mushrooms with a group of friends, with one friend you trust to be a trip-sitter, or alone. With the proper surroundings, all of these can be great containers for your experience. Whether it’s at the beach in your hometown, or walking a few blocks to the park, always prioritize being in nature for at least some of your trip and personally find that experience to be unsurpassable. If you don’t want to stay in one place for your whole trip, always make sure you plan any transportation ahead of time for safety.
If you are taking antibiotics, medications for arterial blood pressure, diabetes or infections, pain relievers/analgesics, antifungals, antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-convulsives, anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic medications, we need to know (medical information form). Some medications have to be stopped at least 5 days before the ceremony, some for over 2 weeks or more and some are contraindicated to the Sacred Medicine.
It is very important not to be depleted the day of the ceremony so that you can have the energy necessary. Be rested and have a good nights sleep the previous night. The day of the ceremony you may have a light breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner, no later than 1 pm. Drink only water.
Define the intention of your desire to take the plant medicine and come to the ceremony with an open mind and heart, as well as a clear positive intention. Leave behind any expectations and approach the ceremony with an attitude of surrendering and gratitude. It may help to write down your intention, which could be centered around health and well-being, nature, connection, understanding and spiritual knowledge, healing, or any question you may have in your heart.
Enter this experience with a positive attitude of respect, reverence, receptivity to the sacred medicine, and with the trust that you will be provided with exactly what you need. The day after the ceremony, spend time in a quiet natural environment and reflect on your experience, journal, and meditate.
If you need support with this preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our coaches are available to individually assist with these steps.
Have your last and light meal by noon, but no later than 1 pm. Bring water and remember to be well hydrated before the ceremony. Wear comfortable clothing with extra layers, as your body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Please do not bring a mattress as one will be provided. You may bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. Your space will be about the size of yoga mat dimensions. If you have allergies, bring your inhaler or medication, in case of emergency.
Cell phones and other electronics will need to be turned off and left outside of the ceremony space. Filming, photographing or recording the ceremony is strictly prohibited.
If you are taking antibiotics, medications for arterial blood pressure, diabetes or infections, pain relievers/analgesics, antifungals, antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-convulsives, anti anxiety or anti-psychotics medications, we need to know (medical information form). Some medications have to be stopped at least 5 days before the ceremony, some for over 2 weeks or more and some are contraindicated to the Sacred Medicine.
It is very important not to be depleted the day of the ceremony so that you can have the energy necessary. Be rested and have a good nights sleep the previous night. The day of the ceremony you may have a light breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner, no later than 1 pm. Drink only water.
Define the intention of your desire to take the plant medicine and come to the ceremony with an open mind and heart, as well as a clear positive intention. Leave behind any expectations and approach the ceremony with an attitude of surrendering and gratitude. It may help to write down your intention, which could be centered around health and well-being, nature, connection, understanding and spiritual knowledge, healing, or any question you may have in your heart.
Enter this experience with a positive attitude of respect, reverence, receptivity to the sacred medicine, and with the trust that you will be provided with exactly what you need. The day after the ceremony, spend time in a quiet natural environment and reflect on your experience, journal, and meditate.
If you need support with this preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our coaches are available to individually assist with these steps.
Have your last and light meal by noon, but no later than 1 pm. Bring water and remember to be well hydrated before the ceremony. Wear comfortable clothing with extra layers, as your body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Please do not bring a mattress as one will be provided. You may bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. Your space will be about the size of yoga mat dimensions. If you have allergies, bring your inhaler or medication, in case it proves necessary.
Cell phones and other electronics will need to be turned off and left outside the ceremony space. Filming, photographing or recording the ceremony is strictly prohibited.
If you are taking antibiotics, medications for arterial blood pressure, diabetes or infections, pain relievers/analgesics, antifungals, antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-convulsives, anti anxiety or anti-psychotic medications, we need to know (medical information form). Some medications have to be stopped at least 5 days before the ceremony, some for over 2 weeks or more, and some are contraindicated to the Sacred Medicine.
It is very important not to be depleted the day of the ceremony so that you can have the energy necessary. Be rested and have a good nights sleep the previous night. The day of the ceremony you may have a light breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner, no later than 1 pm. Drink only water.
Define the intention of your desire to take the plant medicine and come to the ceremony with an open mind and heart, as well as a clear positive intention. Leave behind any expectations and approach the ceremony with an attitude of surrendering and gratitude. It may help to write down your intention, which could be centered around health and well-being, nature, connection, understanding and spiritual knowledge, healing, or any question you may have in your heart.
Enter this experience with a positive attitude of respect, reverence, receptivity to the sacred medicine, and with the trust that you will be provided with exactly what you need. The day after the ceremony spend time in a quiet natural environment and reflect on your experience, journal, and meditate.
If you need support with this preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our coaches are available to individually assist with these steps.
Have your last and light meal by noon, but no later than 1 pm. Bring water and remember to be well hydrated before the ceremony. Wear comfortable clothing with extra layers, as your body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Please do not bring a mattress as one will be provided. You may bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. Your space will be about the size of yoga mat dimensions. If you have allergies, bring your inhaler or medication, in case it proves necessary.
Cell phones and other electronics will need to be turned off and left outside of the ceremony space. Filming, photographing or recording the ceremony is strictly prohibited.
We are an organization whose primary purpose is to support the expansion of consciousness of each human being and to educate them in the maintenance of healthy lifestyles. We welcome all paths and all spiritual traditions.
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